Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7615
Title: An analysis of supply chain related graduate programmes in Europe
Authors: Onar, SC
Aktas, E
Topcu, I
Doran, D
Keywords: Cluster analysis;Education;Europe;Graduates;Learning cycles;Supply chain management
Issue Date: 2013
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Citation: Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 18(4): 398 - 412, 2013
Abstract: Purpose – Motivated by a lack of studies in graduate level supply chain education, this research aims to explore trends in supply chain-related graduate programmes in Europe and to propose a framework for designing such programmes. Design/methodology/approach – The authors determine “knowledge” and “skills” areas applicable to supply chain management (SCM) education and analyse supply chain-related graduate programmes published by the European Logistics Association in 2004. They revisit the same programmes in 2011 to determine the recent situation and the trends. The authors use cluster analysis to reveal the similarities and differences among these programmes. Findings – The authors find two distinct clusters: focused and diversified. Focused programmes offer modules in knowledge and skills areas apart from SCM at a negligible level and place more emphasis on SCM in 2011 when compared to 2004. Diversified programmes show a similar increase in the emphasis on SCM with more variety in the knowledge and skills areas. Research limitations/implications – The authors' findings are based on SCM programmes delivered in Europe and over two discrete time periods. Future research should seek to extend this analysis to other continents with larger samples and incorporate the industry perspective to determine the potential gap between what programmes offer and what industry requires. Practical implications – SCM-related graduate programmes continue to redefine themselves. Clustering predominantly serves the universities in re-assessing and re-engineering their programmes, helps prospective graduates in their selection process and assists managers in their recruitment practices. Originality/value – This paper establishes a baseline for assessing SCM-related graduate programmes with respect to the knowledge and skills they offer and introduces a framework that may serve as a starting point for the design and positioning of such programmes.
Description: This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version of the Article can be accessed from the links below. Copyright @ 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
URI: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17090106
http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7615
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SCM-06-2012-0209
ISSN: 1359-8546
Appears in Collections:Business and Management
Brunel Business School Research Papers

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
Fulltext.pdf810.23 kBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in BURA are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.